UK motor exports go up a gear

CAR exports soared to a record high last year, giving the UK economy a much-needed boost.

PUBLISHED: 00:00, Fri, Jan 18, 2013

Nissan topped the car export output last year by building over 500,000 cars at its Sunderland plant

Just under 1.5 million motors were built on home soil in 2012, up nine per cent on 2011and the most for five years.

Some 1.2 million went abroad – an all-time high, said the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. Demand is strongest in emerging markets.

SMMT boss Paul Everitt said: “The outlook for 2013 remains positive, with demand in many faster growing global markets offsetting the continued weakness in European economies.”

The outlook for 2013 remains positive, with demand in many faster growing global markets offsetting the continued weakness in European economies

SMMT boss Paul Everitt

Business Secretary Vince Cable said it was a “great tribute” to UK car manufacturing, which brings around £55billion a year to the economy.

Nissan topped output last year, building 510,572 cars at its plants in Sunderland. Next was Land Rover, with sites in Halewood, Liverpool, and Solihull, Birmingham, followed by BMW-owned Mini in Oxford. Fourth on the list was Honda’s Swindon plant – which last week announced it was axing 800 jobs after sales in Europe slumped.